16 Awesome Hikes in The Coromandel© NZPocketGuide.com
16 Awesome Hikes in The Coromandel

16 Best Hikes in The Coromandel

© NZPocketGuide.com

Coromandel Hikes You Can’t Miss

Want to explore New Zealand’s most epic peninsula? The Coromandel is both a Kiwi and international-traveller favourite, as there’s something for those who want to relax on a pristine beach and something for those who are itching to explore. For the latter few, you’ll dig this listicle of the 16 hikes in The Coromandel!

On one hand, The Coromandel has a dreamy coastal side with the famous white cliffs at Cathedral Cove. On the other, there’s lush native forest connected with an interesting network of hiking trails. You can explore it all on foot, which is great for us active travellers.

Discover some of the world’s largest trees, the kauri, which still stands in the peninsula’s forests. You can also hike to a waterfall, see remnants of mining and logging history, and, of course, have a stroll on some paradise-like beaches. Plus, don’t miss the 15 Coromandel Must-Dos.

1. Coromandel Coastal Walkway

The one-way track follows the coastline of the Coromandel for about 3 hours offering unique views of the wild side of the peninsula and its majestic ocean. Getting there is a challenge in itself. Book your transportation at the beginning of the track (and back from the end of it) in Coromandel town.

Location: Between Stony Bay and Fletchers Bay.

16 Awesome Hikes in The Coromandel© NZPocketGuide.com

2. Karangahake Gorge

The old gold mining gorge is a popular weekend spot for kiwi families in summer and a must-visit attraction for travellers throughout the year! With turquoise river rushing through the gorge, a huge amount of caves, swing bridges, bike tracks, tunnels and historical relics, it is not surprising that the Karangahake Gorge is one of the most popular spots in the area.

Location: State Highway 2, between Paeroa and Waihi.

Tourism NZ© Tourism NZ

3. The Pinnacles Trail (Kauaeranga Kauri Trail)

The superb 360 views from the top of this 8-hour track comes at a price of a steep climb! Hike deep in the Kauri forest, which made the fortune of many settlers in New Zealand who logged and shipped these giants of the forest back to the old continent. This track will take you back in time when logging made the Coromandel, an incredibly wealthy region.

Location: Kauaeranga Valley Road, Thames

16 Best Hikes in The Coromandel© Unsplash

4. Wentworth Valley

Follow the Wentworth River for about an hour and return the same way – it’s as simple as that. Along the way, you will cross multiple bridges and get many views of the famous waterfall. Split the 20-metre (66-foot) high drop in two for a great subject for photography. The Wentworth Falls Track finishes at the top of the falls, but the best views are along the way.

Location: Wentworth Valley Road, Whangamata

NZPocketGuide.com© NZPocketGuide.com

5. Kauri Block

This track succeeds in mixing beautiful scenery and Maori culture in a 2-hour walk. Starting off almost in Coromandel town, the track quickly rises above the seas offering great views of the water and the land surrounding it. A short path sidetracks to an ancient Maori Pa (fortified village).

Location: Wharf Road, Coromandel Town

NZPocketGuide.com© NZPocketGuide.com

6. Pauanui Trig Walk

To get a birds-eye-view of the small settlement of Pauanui, take a couple of hours to tackle the Pauanui Trig Walk. From beaches to coves, it will lead you to a great lookout after passing through a coastal forest. If you are planning to picnic along the way, we suggest Cave Bay, located about 45 minutes into the walk.

Location: Pauanui Beach Road, Pauanui

Jens Tee on Wikipedia© Jens Tee on Wikipedia

7. Pit Rim Walkway

This 1-hour walk is a must-do in Waihi! Circling around the rim of the Martha Mine, the track offers a mind-blowing view of the crater created by years of mining. Many signs along the way walk you through the history of Martha Mine. If you have never seen what an open-air mine looks like, this is a unique chance.

Location: Seddon Road, Waihi

Pseudopanax at English Wikipedia© Pseudopanax at English Wikipedia

8. Opoutere Beach

The large sand spit beach is a bird paradise where dotterels and oystercatchers come to breed. Grab your camera and be ready for your fix of wildlife. The short track is only about 20 minutes one way so there is no excuse to no go admire those unique New Zealand birds.

Location: 10km (6 miles) north of Whangamata

Glenn Howell on Wikipedia© Glenn Howell on Wikipedia

9. Cathedral Cove

Named after the shape of its main cave, the cove is one of the most well-known spots in the area. Its white sand beach and rising cliffs make it an icon of the region. Cathedral Cove is also the main access to the stunning Gemstone Bay where visitors can snorkel amongst an incredible variety of marine wildlife. Allow 1h30mins to go from the parking to Cathedral Cove (and back again). Check out more 10 Unique Beaches in New Zealand.

Location: Near Hahei, follow the many signs. Note that the Cathedral Cove car park in Hahei is closed during the busy summer season (October 1 – April 30). Parking is available instead at the northern end of Hahei Beach, which adds an additional 20 minutes to the Cathedral Cove Walk.

NZPocketGuide.com© NZPocketGuide.com

10. Square Kauri Walk

The very short track (or stairs should we say) leads to one of the strangest trees in the area. The massive kauri is square-shaped. Estimated to be around 1,200 years old, the tree has a trunk in an almost perfect geometric shape. (Find out more at Why is New Zealand so Fascinated with Kauri?)

Location: Tapu Coroglen Road, Waiomu

Pseudopanax at English Wikipedia© Pseudopanax at English Wikipedia

11. Orokawa Bay Walk

If the popular Waihi Beach is not enough for you, keep on walking to the sheltered Orokawa Bay. Almost always empty, the bay is a small isolated slice of paradise in the popular touristic region. If you fancy a waterfall, follow the nearby track to William Wright Falls. Reaching the beach will take you about 1 hour and an extra 30 minutes to walk to the falls.

Location: North of Waihi Beach

Pseudopanax at English Wikipedia© Pseudopanax at English Wikipedia

12. Mt Paku

When visiting Tairua, you will find the best views of the surroundings after taking half an hour to climb Mt Paku. Almost denuded of its vegetation, Mt Paku offers a great panorama of the area on every angle. There are a few signs around the lookout that will tell you more about the history of the area and help you orientate yourself.

Location: Tirinui Crescent, Tairua

16 Awesome Hikes in The Coromandel© Oren Rozen on Wikipedia

13. Broken Hills

The hills feature many tracks ranging from 30 minutes to 3 hours. Take an afternoon to explore the young forest, call it a “regenerating forest”, that is still scarred from its past gold mining history and kauri logging. You will find artefacts testament of that past along almost every track.

Location: Morrisons Road, Pauanui

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14. Waiomu Kauri Grove

Amongst a thick population on nikau tree ferns, the 2 hours Waiomu Kauri Grove Track will lead you through streams and old mines to an impressive kauri stand. Make sure to pack waterproof shoes as the streams are not easy to avoid. (It is best to just pass through them).

Location: Waiomu Valley Road, Waiomu

NZPocketGuide.com© NZPocketGuide.com

15. Tairua History Trail

The trail takes visitors to 20 locations highlighting the history of the town. History trails or heritage trails can be found in most cities in New Zealand and are a great way to immerse yourself in the rich past of our very young country. It will only take you 40 minutes to take on Tairua’s History Trail.

Location: The track starts on Tairua’s Main Road

Pixabay© Pixabay

16. 309 Kauri Grove (Waiau Kauri Grove)

Let’s finish this list with even more kauri, shall we? Almost a symbol in the Coromandel, kauri trees are both a reminder of the thriving past and a magnificent symbol of the green future of New Zealand. Take on this short 30-minute track, if you feel like an easy walk. The track is incredibly well maintained almost all the way paved by boardwalks and leading to another (but still impressive) kauri tree grove.

Location: 309 Road, Coromandel Town

MurielBendel on Wikipedia© MurielBendel on Wikipedia

More Ways to Enjoy the Coromandel

Check out these articles on things to do in the Coromandel:

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

Laura S.

This article has been reviewed and published by Laura, the editor-in-chief and co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. Laura is a first-class honours journalism graduate and a travel journalist with expertise in New Zealand and South Pacific tourism for over 10 years. She also runs travel guides for five of the top destinations in the South Pacific and is the co-host of over 250 episodes of the NZ Travel Show on YouTube.

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